THE region’s peak environmental group has joined independent MP Troy Bell in condemning Labor’s calls to overturn the 10-year moratorium on fracking.
The state opposition has renewed its push to axe the moratorium, with opposition mining spokesperson Tom Koutsantonis telling The Australian the government has “chosen populism over science”.
The senior politician’s comments has sparked outrage, with Limestone Coast Protection Alliance chair Angus Ralton saying the move for a ban was rooted in scientific evidence demonstrated the adverse effects of unconventional drilling.
“When Mr Koutsantonis calls the moratorium populism over science, it is not,” he said.
“Everything has been based on science and we have the evidence based on the fracking experience of America, Europe and England which has recently banned or moved to ban fracking as well.
“It is all backed up with peer-reviewed evidence.
“All the mining industry and the Labor Party has ever done is just back it up with rhetoric.”
While Labor believe the moratorium should be overturned to increase supplies and drive down gas prices, Mr Ralton claimed gas prices have tripled in recent times.
“We have got more gas than we ever had before,” Mr Ralton said.
“Yet because we have got government inaction on placing a domestic reserve we are going to be in the same boat and the gas will go overseas.”
Mr Bell, who was instrumental in legislating the decade-long fracking ban, blasted the Labor Party as “arrogant” and “displaying disrepect towards the Limestone Coast community.
The independent MP said he will continue to ensure the decade-long ban remains in place”as long as I hold the seat of Mount Gambier”.
The bill to enshrine the ban passed parliament last year with the full support of the Liberal Party and crossbenchers Greens and SA-Best.
Labor voted against the bill in both house of parliament.
“Only five months ago the Labor Listens tour was in Mount Gambier,” Mr Bell said.
“Well it’s clear they are not listening to the Limestone Coast.
“It shows Labor cannot be trusted to uphold the 10-year ban and our community needs to remember this at the next election.”
Following a community campaign, the independent MP successfully legislated the 10-year fracking ban in 2018.
Mr Bell said comments made by Mr Koutsantonis last week in relation to the moratorium demonstrated a limited understanding of the
parliamentary process.
“Any changes to the ban, or the area that it covers, would need to pass both houses of parliament,” he said.
“The people of the Limestone Coast deserve better than an opposition that does not listen to them and also, does not understand the significance of protecting our underground water and rich agricultural assets.”
Shadow Forestry Minister and Limestone Coast resident Clare Scriven supported Mr Koutsantonis and said Labor’s opposition to the moratorium was based on science.
“It is the right mechanism to make decisions on fracture stimulation, not politicians,” she said.
“This is the reason we have opposed a ban.”
Ms Scriven said fracture stimulation did not occur within the region under a Labor State Government.
“This clearly demonstrates that a ban was not needed,” she said.
“The regulators assess the risks and any proposals with significant risks do not get approved – that is as it should be and if the ban were lifted we would not expect there to be fracking in the future.”
Member for MacKillop Nick McBride said the government’s decision to ban the practice respected the wishes of the South East community.
“Currently there is opportunity for gas exploration and production in the South East,” he said.
“Realising the gas potential of the region is currently linked to traditional gas mining operations – the ban on fracking I would suggest – is not a limiting factor.”
